It was a little cool and the sun was nowhere to be found, but that didn't stop a steady stream of golfers from teeing off at London's three municipal golf courses.
Thames Valley, River Road, and Fanshawe golf courses opened for the season on Tuesday.
Tony Jenkinson arrived at Thames Valley at 8:30am so he could be the first person to play the course when it opened at 10am.
"It was a little bit chilly with the short pants on but I enjoyed every minute of it," said Jenkinson, on his way back to the clubhouse. "Not bad for the first round of the year. I hit it pretty good and the exercise was a bonus."
With temperatures still in the single-digits, Jenkinson expects he'll be walking the course by himself for at least a few more weeks.
"It will be a while before my other playing partners come out. They like the warmer weather. But I'll be out tomorrow, the day after and so on. God willing," said Jenkinson.
Marty Holmes, who golfs with three of his retired friends a handful of times a week, was looking for a repeat of last year's opening day when he sunk a hole-in-one.
"It was the only one I got all year, but I got it," said Holmes.
He spent the winter practicing his swing and putting technique in his basement.
"The anticipation is always there, right from the last day of the previous season. I am looking forward to it," said Holmes. "It's nice to have a chance to play with the guys. There's always a little competition between us. I love the game."
The 18-hole course, just minutes from the downtown, was suprisingly busy according to city golf manager and head pro at Thames Valley Steve Bennett.
"It's only 5 C or 6 C but we've got a lot of people out playing. I think people are just excited about getting back and playing the game. They're ready to start a new year," said Bennett.
Wet conditions are keeping the power carts parked at River Road. However, golfers at Thames Valley and Fanshawe have the option to walk or ride.
The opening of city courses comes slightly later than last year, but Bennett said it is still ahead of schedule.
"We try to gear it around April 1 but Mother Nature over the last four out of six years has been good to us and we've had March openings. Last year we opened mid-March, where this year we are closer to April 1 but it's still a win as people are back out golfing," said Bennett.
